[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 126 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9371-H9373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
                           NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 623) requesting that the President 
focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention and 
community policing, and coordinate certain Federal efforts to 
participate in National Night Out, which occurs the first Tuesday of 
August each year, including by supporting local efforts and community 
watch groups and by supporting local officials, to promote community 
safety and help provide homeland security.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 623

       Whereas neighborhood crime is of continuing concern to the 
     American people;
       Whereas child safety is a growing concern for parents and 
     communities, as evidenced by several cases of missing and 
     abducted children;
       Whereas homeland security remains an important priority for 
     communities and the Nation;
       Whereas crime, drugs, and violence in schools is of 
     continuing concern to the American people due to the recent 
     high-profile incidents that have resulted in fatalities at 
     several schools in the United States;
       Whereas the fight against neighborhood crime requires 
     people to work together in cooperation with law enforcement 
     personnel;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch organizations effectively 
     promote awareness about, and the participation of volunteers 
     in, crime prevention activities at the local level;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch groups can contribute to 
     the Nation's war on drugs by helping to prevent communities 
     from becoming markets for drug dealers;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch programs play an integral 
     role in combating domestic terrorism by increasing vigilance 
     and awareness and encouraging citizen participation in 
     community safety and homeland security;
       Whereas community-based programs involving law enforcement, 
     school administrators, teachers, parents, and local 
     communities work effectively to reduce school violence and 
     crime and promote the safety of children;
       Whereas citizens throughout the United States will take 
     part in National Night Out, a unique crime prevention event 
     that will demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of 
     community participation in crime prevention efforts;
       Whereas over 37,000,000 people in more than 15,000 
     communities from all 50 States, territories, District of 
     Columbia, and military bases worldwide participated in 
     National Night Out in 2007;
       Whereas National Night Out will celebrate its 26th 
     anniversary on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, when citizens, 
     businesses, local law enforcement officers, mayors, State and 
     Federal officials, and others will celebrate ``America's 
     Night Out Against Crime'' and participate in events to 
     support community crime prevention;
       Whereas National Night Out is supporting the Department of 
     Homeland Security's Ready campaign by handing out materials 
     and educating and empowering the public on how to prepare 
     for, and respond to, potential terrorist attacks or other 
     emergencies;
       Whereas National Night Out is supporting the National Child 
     Identification Program, a joint partnership between the 
     American Football Coaches Association and the Federal Bureau 
     of Investigation, to provide identification kits to parents 
     to help locate missing children;
       Whereas the National Sheriffs Association, the United 
     States Conference of Mayors, and the National League of 
     Cities have officially expressed support for National Night 
     Out; and
       Whereas citizens and communities that participate on August 
     4, 2009, will send a positive message to other communities 
     and the Nation, showing their commitment to reduce crime and 
     promote homeland security: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Night Out; 
     and
       (2) requests that the President--
       (A) issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
     United States to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, 
     and programs to demonstrate support for National Night Out;
       (B) focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime 
     prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime 
     by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing the 
     Administration to make crime reduction an important priority; 
     and
       (C) coordinate the efforts of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, the USA Freedom Corps, the Citizen Corps, 
     the National Senior Service Corps, and AmeriCorps to 
     participate in National Night Out by supporting local efforts 
     and neighborhood watches and by supporting local officials, 
     including law enforcement personnel, to provide homeland 
     security and combat terrorism in the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pastor of Arizona). Pursuant to the 
rule, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Poe) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution supports this year's National Night Out 
events coordinated by the National Association of Town Watch and 
encourages the President to focus attention on neighborhood crime 
prevention, community policing and Federal efforts to participate in 
various local events. The 26th Annual National Night Out, America's 
night out against crime, was held on Tuesday, August 4, 2009.
  The National Night Out is designed to promote crime and drug 
prevention efforts, create support for local anti-crime programs and 
strengthen neighborhood camaraderie and police-community partnerships. 
Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law 
enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood 
organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 
50 States, as well as U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military 
bases worldwide.
  In 2008, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out 
events. National Night Out has the support of many agencies and 
organizations, including the National Sheriffs Association, the United 
States Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities.
  On August 4, people from communities around the country sat on their 
porches with their lights on to show their support for neighborhood 
crime prevention and drug abuse prevention efforts. Local sponsors also 
organized events such as block parties, cookouts, parades and visits 
with local law enforcement agencies, as well as rallies and marches. 
National Night Out events have become a very popular way to build 
police-community relations and to encourage people to volunteer in 
their communities.
  For those reasons, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the 
resolution introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) for 
sponsorship of this legislation.
  On August 4, 2009, communities, businesses, local law enforcement 
officials and other individuals from all 50 States got together for 
what we call National Night Out. National Night Out, an annual event 
created to bring attention to the importance of community involvement 
in preventing crime and community awareness efforts throughout the 
country. It has successfully reached millions of people and thousands 
of communities in every State in our Nation.
  Not only has the event grown in participation and size, but in 
production as well. The traditional ``lights on,'' in which 
neighborhood families coordinate in turning on their porch lights,

[[Page H9372]]

has grown to include block parties, neighborhood walks, police 
meetings, cookouts and even parades.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the only time of the year that many neighbors 
see each other. My grandfather used to say that people quit being as 
neighborly when builders quit building front porches on their homes. 
Anyway, National Night Out gives people the chance to visit with each 
other and be neighborly.
  House Resolution 623 calls on the administration not only to 
highlight and urge participation in this nationwide campaign, but also 
to coordinate Federal efforts in other community crime-prevention 
initiatives.
  The resolution reminds us that crime is local. Crime affects all 
Americans, regardless of where they live or who they are. In my 30 
years as a prosecutor and a former judge, I saw for myself the terrible 
toll that crime puts on neighborhoods and on families and individuals.
  We all suffer. Crime, especially violent crime, is a national health 
concern. Volunteer organizations such as neighborhood crime watch 
groups have proven to be invaluable, not just in awareness and 
prevention, but also in their coordination with local law enforcement.
  National Night Out was created in 1984 to help bring members of our 
communities together to fight the scourge of crime in local 
neighborhoods. Since then, it has been the mission of Association of 
Town Watch and National Night Out to send a message to criminals that 
neighborhoods and communities are united in their fight against 
criminal conduct. Through the participation in local crime fighting 
programs and organizations, every American can make a difference in the 
safety of their community. Strong communities are safer communities.
  In today's world, crime and violence can be found everywhere we look. 
Urban communities, rural communities, parks and even our schools. And 
while Federal coordination with local law enforcement plays a 
tremendous role in curbing criminal activity, the coordination of local 
law enforcement officials, volunteer groups and community leaders and 
neighbors is, without a doubt, the most effective way of attacking 
crime and protecting America's families.
  So I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the sponsor of the resolution, a law enforcement officer 
himself, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).
  Mr. STUPAK. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Stupak-Reichert resolution, 
House Resolution 623. This resolution commemorates the 26th Annual 
National Night Out event, which is sponsored by the National 
Association of Town Watch.
  I would like to thank my Law Enforcement Caucus cochair, Congressman 
Dave Reichert, for introducing this resolution with me.
  National Night Out, an annual nationwide grassroots crime prevention 
event, took place on Tuesday, August 4, and will actually take place in 
Texas on October 6, 2009. I appreciate the work of the Judiciary 
Committee and Chairman Conyers and Chairman Scott in placing this 
resolution on the House calendar.
  However, I must admit I am disappointed in the partisan, 
obstructionist tactics that precluded the recognition of National Night 
Out in a timely fashion in July. I am disappointed that this truly 
bipartisan resolution, that has been introduced year after year and 
passed by this House urging citizens to take back their streets from 
criminals, is hijacked by partisan politics. Now, a month later, we 
have to talk about this year's event in the past tense.
  This year's event did bring together citizens, law enforcement 
agencies and civic groups throughout the United States. As Chairman 
Scott said, about 15,000 communities participated to heighten crime and 
drug prevention awareness and to strengthen neighborhood spirit and 
police-community partnerships.
  National Night Out is the largest, most cost-effective crime 
prevention campaign. Whether it is stopping illegal drug sales, making 
schools safer, locating missing children or remaining vigilant against 
terrorism, local law enforcement officials depend on the support of 
community networks to succeed.
  This high profile, high impact National Night Out sends a message to 
criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and 
fighting back. The active involvement of citizens and the presence of 
law enforcement in our communities is a winning combination that makes 
and keeps neighborhoods safe.
  The Stupak-Reichert resolution expresses Congress' support for 
community crime prevention and asks that the President focus Federal 
attention on this issue. I urge all our Members to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. POE of Texas. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlelady from Ohio, a strong supporter of law 
enforcement, Ms. Sutton.
  Ms. SUTTON. I thank the gentleman for the time and for his leadership 
on this very important issue.
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of H. Res. 623, and I 
commend Representative Stupak for bringing this great resolution to the 
floor.
  National Night Out is an innovative and unique crime fighting tool, 
and the administration's support for this effort is critically 
important. This resolution sends a strong message to criminals, letting 
them know that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back.
  It also sends a strong message to volunteers and neighbors and block 
leaders that their hard work is not going unnoticed by this Congress 
and this administration. When people volunteer in their community, they 
are telling the world that their neighborhood matters, that their 
neighborhood is important, and that it has value. And we hear them, Mr. 
Speaker.
  In these difficult times, volunteering is critical to supporting both 
our neighbors and our communities. While neighborhood watch groups work 
tirelessly every night throughout this country, a special night of the 
year is reserved to celebrate National Night Out.
  And on the first Tuesday of every August, nearly 37 million Americans 
gather together to participate in National Night Out, walking door to 
door, handing out important safety information, greeting old neighbors 
and meeting some new people on their block. It takes a community to 
keep a neighborhood safe, and on August 4 people across America helped 
keep their neighborhoods just that much safer.
  This August 4, I had the honor to participate in the 26th Annual 
National Night Out in Akron. It was a great experience, and I hope to 
participate again next year, along with millions of my fellow crime 
fighting Americans.
  I commend the gentleman again for bringing the resolution to the 
floor.
  Mr. POE of Texas. We have no other speakers, Mr. Speaker.
  I will close by saying that this is a bipartisan piece of 
legislation. This body here contains many former law enforcement 
officers, peace officers, sheriffs, prosecutors, former judges, and 
victims of crime as well. Crime knows no boundaries in this country, 
and it affects all of us. This legislation is a stand for the 
volunteers who support National Night Out and the good work that they 
do.
  I strongly urge the adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 623, 
which requests that the President focus appropriate attention on 
neighborhood crime prevention and coordinate Federal efforts to 
participate in National Night Out.
  Today our suburban communities and neighborhoods throughout the 
nation are under attack. When our children are no longer free to play 
outside after school and families no longer feel safe in their suburban 
communities because gangs, and all the violence and drugs they bring 
with them, have spread to their communities; and when children are no 
longer safe in their own homes because thousands of sex offenders are 
online just waiting for their next prey; when the ``bad guy'' has no 
face and there are no boundaries thanks to the Internet--our very 
freedom itself is threatened.
  National Night Out is an extraordinary opportunity for citizens, law 
enforcement, businesses, and local officials to come together to raise 
awareness about these threats and fight

[[Page H9373]]

crime where we live. Last year, over 37 million people participated in 
National Night Out.
  As a former Sheriff, I know how important it is to foster 
relationships between the community, law enforcement and local 
businesses and organizations. By coming together we really can create 
safer places for our children to grow and thrive.
  I urge all my colleagues to support H. Res. 623 and community 
policing efforts throughout their communities.
  Mr. POE of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Michigan for his introduction of the resolution and urge support of the 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 623.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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